1,000 Days

Captured

S. G. Wells

Copyrighted material. All rights reserved.

Day Fifty-six
Jakes short night was filled with tossing and turning and dreams of Abaddons clone guards chasing him. He awoke, startled, and realized it was only a dream. The fear lingered as he ran his fingers through his hair. Not wanting to awaken the others, Jake got up and walked into the bathroom where the auxiliary lights were on. He stood in front of a sink gazing at his reflection in the mirror. How did Abaddon get that card into the basket of birthday presents? Who does he think he is saying it will be my last birthday? The length of my life is definitely not up to him! He splashed water on his face and stood riveted, staring at his reflection. He looked so much older now. What are you doing up, Man? Jake was taken by surprise as La Marquis came in.

I had trouble sleeping and got up to clear my head. It was that card from Abaddon, wasnt it? La Marquis wanted to know more. Let me ask you something, said Jake. Since we all talked last night about our captivity and Abaddon, are you sorry you came here? No, not at all, answered La Marquis. The truth is that the seven of us who came from the Knoxville facility grew up having to fight to survive. Life wasnt easy for any of us. Besides, we like it here. What are you guys doing up so early? A-Rod and Ray J. came in rubbing their eyes. Just setting Jake straight on how I feel about being here. I like it here, said A-Rod. Me, too, agreed Ray J. So it was settled. The teen colony was established in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado,

and they were united in their stand against the fear of intimidation by Abaddon. After breakfast, Jake was instructed to go to the Colonels office. He was escorted in as soon as he arrived. Jake, thank you for coming, said Colonel Mitchum. Weve done quite a bit of investigating and though your story of captivity highly suggests paranormal activity and beings, we do believe you. I must say, however, that having the corpse of one of the clone guards did help to cement the truth of your statements. However, with the threat you received last evening, we have decided to remove you from the position of tram driver, for your safety as well as the safety of the tram passengers, he said. What will I do instead? We would like you to work with one of our newly developed task forces as a civilian appointee to work on ways to reinforce our

facilities from outside encroachment by any hostile forces. The Colonel waited for Jakes reply. Id be honored to work with such a team. I only hope I can be of some help. Im sure you will. Ive already informed Ben Cummings that you will not be returning to the tram unit, and he is truly sorry to lose you. Hes been a great boss, said Jake. You will be working under Lieutenant Larry Ward and his staff, just down the hallway. Hes expecting you. Jake left the Colonels office and entered the room down the hallway. The secretary had papers ready for Jake to fill out and after he was escorted into a room with a long mahogany table surrounded by eleven people Jake had never seen. Jake Wise, said Jake as he pulled out the empty chair in front of him. Welcome Jake. Im Larry Ward. To your left are Anne Houghtaling, Bryce Cooley,
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Darin Malek, Seth Saldivar, Larry Westberry, Aaron Digby, Saundra Giddens, Linda Brodsky, Amanda Fryday, and Jason Fortenberry. Jake shook hands with the ones close enough to reach, and nodded to the others. Please share with us the story of your captivity as well as the incidents youve been involved in while here. Lt. Ward sat down as Jake stood to address the group. We had gone into the caves of Sandia Mountain in New Mexico after the bombings of Albuquerque. We were discovered in one of the shafts by a platoon of clone guards. They took us captive and brought us to Abaddon, the leader of the compound. He also shared the tram incidents and the two envelopes he had received. He knew how surreal it all sounded, but having the corpse of a dead clone guard was all the evidence anyone needed to know that his story was true. That evening at dinner, Jake shared his news.
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Im no longer a tram driver. What? Why not? asked Braydon. Colonel Mitchum has assigned me to a new task force, because he feels the driver position is too dangerous for me due to what has happened. The purpose of the task force is to secure the facilities. I cant go into detail as that information is classified. The others understood, and were also relieved that Jake was no longer a tram driver because they wanted him safe. The rest of the evening was spent at G.E.D. class. Those who had arisen so early were finding it hard now to stay awake.